Hunting & Fishing Let’s start a coyote thread.

[LeadBreakfast]

Oh man. Don't get hung up on the male/female thing. The call maker labels of male and female are bullshit. They just label them what they sound like to humans. I know for an absolute fact that is true. The frequency and attitude probably works better for determining the sex of a coyote by it's howl. Today is peak breeding day for coyotes from Alaska to Mexico, (humans too probably, maybe not coincidentally), but there are definitely coyotes responding to breeding sounds. Howls, fights, breeding sounds, pups. That's going to be your bread and butter until late summer. Never stand up without trying a little prey distress, but its unlikely to move many of them right now.

Yes, it is peak breeding but that doesn't render prey distress ineffective.

I was out Friday night. Some sets I gained their attention with howls, some just with prey distress, but in the end they all had a prey distress playing when they came into shooting range. I ended up shooting 3 and, after one of the thre, turned to see another at ~360yds sitting on his rear, downwind, watching. I got a poke around 400 but wasn't able to connect - standing and tripod is good but still tough at those ranges with any breeze.

Anyhow, I think a lot has to do with the weather too. There was a front coming in and while they are breeding hard they also are very prone to being susceptible to distress with the front. JMO. This time of year, I'll start with a howl, move to distress. It seems to work for both breeding and hungry dogs.


ETA: I should also mention that I strongly believe curiosity is a big component too. If they don't know there are humans around, wind is in your favor, etc. you can get them to come investigate almost anything. Bird distress is a good example. About a month back WWE were not having very much luck calling, it was just too nice/no snow/too much prey tha was easy to catch, I threw a certain bird distress on at the end of a set and one came cruising in. Did it again successfully multiple times over the weekend and next few weeks.

 

[Hecouldgoalltheway]

Yes, it is peak breeding but that doesn't render prey distress ineffective.

I was out Friday night. Some sets I gained their attention with howls, some just with prey distress, but in the end they all had a prey distress playing when they came into shooting range. I ended up shooting 3 and, after one of the thre, turned to see another at ~360yds sitting on his rear, downwind, watching. I got a poke around 400 but wasn't able to connect - standing and tripod is good but still tough at those ranges with any breeze.

Anyhow, I think a lot has to do with the weather too. There was a front coming in and while they are breeding hard they also are very prone to being susceptible to distress with the front. JMO. This time of year, I'll start with a howl, move to distress. It seems to work for both breeding and hungry dogs.


ETA: I should also mention that I strongly believe curiosity is a big component too. If they don't know there are humans around, wind is in your favor, etc. you can get them to come investigate almost anything. Bird distress is a good example. About a month back WWE were not having very much luck calling, it was just too nice/no snow/too much prey tha was easy to catch, I threw a certain bird distress on at the end of a set and one came cruising in. Did it again successfully multiple times over the weekend and next few weeks.

I clearly stated that you shouldn't stand up without trying some prey distress, I play it in every stand. However, I've killed 14 coyotes in the last 26 days, and not one of them came into distress. The 4 cats I've killed in the same time frame did however. Woodpecker sounds are kryptonite on cats in my area currently.

 

[LeadBreakfast]

I clearly stated that you shouldn't stand up without trying some prey distress, I play it in every stand. However, I've killed 14 coyotes in the last 26 days, and not one of them came into distress. The 4 cats I've killed in the same time frame did however. Woodpecker sounds are kryptonite on cats in my area currently.

Yes you did, just want to be clear for anyone trying to figure out sequences. Figuring out what works, when, how long to let the call play, what volume, etc. is the most difficult part of calling. I went out with some guys I don't usually hunt with and one of them used his call. We heard a lot but saw only two, only one came in. His call selection, length, volume, and pace were all very different from what I would have chosen.

Bottom line for guys that are newer to it, don't get discouraged, gohunt with other guys that are (more) consistently successful and see what they do.

Pretty strange that no coyotes have come in to distress for you lately. In the past 5 weeks since I first got a report of females starting to swell up I have actually only had one come in to breeding sounds. Plenty of replies, plenty of curious dogs at long range, but have only had one close the gap with breeding sounds, all the rest wee distress - mouse, rabbit, bird, or pups.

Might be highly area dependent too.

 

[LeadBreakfast]

3 dog night on Friday, I was flying solo. Hunting as a pair is usually more fun IMO but it's really satisfying to get them by yourself.

 

[jdulaney]

Struck out this morning, but it was nice to go after almost 10 years. Got a few things to get lined out, and get a little used to the new foxpro. Bought aa cheap tripod for now, until I can get the one I want. It's was 10 degrees and 30mph wind gust, didn't expect to see anything, but I was out there.

 

[Tugboater]

Struck out this morning, but it was nice to go after almost 10 years. Got a few things to get lined out, and get a little used to the new foxpro. Bought aa cheap tripod for now, until I can get the one I want. It's was 10 degrees and 30mph wind gust, didn't expect to see anything, but I was out there.View attachment 8621518View attachment 8621519

Looks awesome, way to get and enjoy the process!

 

[jdulaney]

Looks awesome, way to get and enjoy the process!

I used to be out there every weekend, but just got out of it for a while, got rid of almost everything but my guns, been steadily getting stuff bought.

 

[Kjb1796]

Got this older male this morning. In the ewe lambs.

 

[Cookie1125]

Two in the last couple days.